Challenger Explains One Concept in 5 Levels of Difficulty - League of Legends

Introduction to Jungle Pathing

In this section, the speaker introduces themselves as a multi-season challenger player and explains that they will be discussing jungle pathing in five levels of difficulty.

Level 1: Identifying Gank Potential

• The speaker explains that starting your jungle path on the opposite side of the map you want to influence is important.

• Choosing which lane to pressure early on is based on identifying gank potential.

• Gank potential is determined by three factors: crowd control, mobility, and escape ability.

• The speaker uses a Challenger game example with Talon jungle, Akali top lane, and Alistar/Yasuo bot lane to demonstrate how to identify gank potential.

• Bot lane has more crowd control compared to top lane, making it the lane with higher gank potential.

Level 2: Minion Waves and Predicting Push Advantage

• Minion waves play a crucial role in determining the success of a gank.

• Predicting who will have the push advantage is important for successful ganks.

• Two main things to consider are ranged advantage against melee champions and wave clear abilities.

• Ranged champions usually have the push lead due to their ability to freely harass melee champions while last-hitting minions.

• Champions with strong wave clear abilities can quickly clear minion waves, gaining push advantage.

Importance of Minion Waves in Ganks

This section emphasizes the importance of minion waves in setting up successful ganks.

Understanding Wave Control

• Proper wave control can create opportunities for successful ganks.

• If the enemy laners are pushing towards your team's tower, it becomes difficult to execute a successful gank.

Predicting Push Advantage

• Ranged champions generally have an advantage over melee champions in terms of wave control.

• Champions with strong wave clear abilities can quickly push the wave, gaining control.

Wave Clear Abilities and Push Advantage

This section focuses on wave clear abilities and their impact on push advantage.

Comparing Wave Clear Abilities

• Comparing the wave clear abilities of champions in a specific role helps determine who has the push advantage.

• Example: Soraka vs. Janna (Support) - Soraka has better wave clear due to her lower cooldown Q ability compared to Janna's Q ability.

Impact of Champion Abilities

• Champions with AoE abilities that can hit multiple minions have an advantage in clearing waves quickly.

• Example: Xayah vs. Jhin (ADC) - Xayah's Q ability allows her auto attacks to hit multiple minions, giving her superior wave clear compared to Jhin.

Conclusion

Jungle pathing involves starting on the opposite side of the map you want to influence based on gank potential. Understanding minion waves and predicting push advantage are crucial for successful ganks. Ranged champions and those with strong wave clear abilities often have the push advantage. By considering these factors, junglers can make informed decisions and increase their chances of successful ganks.

Analyzing Gank Potential in Different Lanes

In this section, the speaker discusses how to analyze gank potential in different lanes and make decisions based on that analysis.

Identifying Gank Potential

• Analyze the match-up in each lane to determine gank potential.

• Consider factors such as crowd control, mobility, and escape ability.

• Top lane has low gank potential due to weak crowd control and low mobility of Gangplank.

• Bot lane has high gank potential due to a ton of crowd control from Jhin and Janna.

Considering Push Leads

• Take into account which lane will have the push lead.

• Gangplank is ranged against melee (Fiora), so he will likely have the push lead in top lane.

• Xayah and Soraka will have the push lead in bot lane.

Importance of Level 2 Timing

• At around 2 minutes and 45 seconds mark, Jhin and Janna hit level 2 while the enemy bot is pushed up and vulnerable.

• This timing provides an opportunity for a fast gank if you follow level 1 pathing.

Level 1 Analysis Summary

• Top lane has weak gank potential, while bot lane has high gank potential.

• Based on this analysis, starting at red buff and pathing towards bot lane seems like the logical choice.

The Importance of Level 3 Pathing

In this section, the speaker explains why level 3 pathing is crucial when considering enemy jungler presence.

Considering Enemy Jungler Presence

• If both junglers path towards the same lane, it's important to consider who would win the skirmish.

• The pushing laner usually has advantages in terms of level leads, early damage, and health advantages.

• Pushing laners also have lane priority and can respond to fights near the river.

Four Scenarios to Consider

1. Both junglers path bot side: Karthus would lose the skirmish and scuttle.

2. Junglers path opposite sides: They should go even with no gank opportunities except for potential tower dives and scuttles.

3. Junglers path opposite sides again: Same as scenario 2.

4. Both junglers path top side: Karthus would win the skirmish and scuttle due to Gangplank's push lead.

Importance of Level 3 Analysis

• Pathing topside results in either a neutral or positive outcome.

• Pathing bot side results in either a neutral or negative outcome.

• In this game, Bai made the wrong decision by tunnel visioning on Gangplank's gank potential without considering level 3 analysis.

The Core Fundamentals of Pathing

In this section, the speaker emphasizes that understanding the first three levels of pathing is crucial but not enough for higher ranks.

Importance of Core Fundamentals

• Understanding level 1, level 2, and level 3 pathing provides a strong foundation for successful ganks in most games.

• However, as you climb higher in rank, there are additional layers to consider.

Additional Layers of Pathing

• Beyond level 3 analysis, there are more factors to take into account when making pathing decisions.

• These additional layers involve considering enemy jungler presence and predicting their movements.

Conclusion

Understanding gank potential in different lanes, considering push leads, analyzing enemy jungler presence at level 3, and incorporating additional layers of pathing are all essential aspects of effective jungle decision-making. By applying these strategies, players can increase their chances of successful ganks and map control.

Understanding Pathing and Adaptation in Jungle

In this section, the speaker discusses the importance of pathing and adaptation in jungle gameplay. They emphasize the need for level 4 adaptation to make informed decisions based on the state of the lanes.

Identifying Starting Side and Pathing

• The speaker explains that correctly identifying the starting side of the enemy jungler is crucial.

• By checking which side lane arrives first, they can determine if the enemy jungler is getting a leash on that side.

• This information helps in deciding which path to take.

Analyzing Bot Lane for Pathing Decision

• The speaker mentions that when moving towards the bot side of the map, analyzing the state of the bot lane is essential.

• They give an example where both laners are fighting for push, indicating potential gank opportunities.

• Based on this analysis, they decide whether to take a slower or faster path towards bot side.

Real-Time Adaptation for Optimal Pathing

• The speaker highlights how real-time adaptation during jungle pathing can lead to free kills.

• They provide an example where checking nearby lanes helps identify potential gank opportunities.

• By constantly checking lanes and adapting their path accordingly, they maximize their chances of success.

Camera Usage and Lane Checking

This section focuses on how camera usage and checking lanes play a vital role in making informed decisions during jungle gameplay.

Checking Lanes During Clear

• The speaker emphasizes using the camera to check nearby lanes while clearing camps.

• By doing so, they gather information about potential gank opportunities or threats from enemy laners.

Double Checking Lanes Before Ganking

• The speaker advises double-checking all lanes before committing to a gank opportunity.

• Even if one lane seems gankable, it's important to ensure there isn't a better opportunity elsewhere.

• This helps in making the most optimal decision for ganking.

Constant Lane Checking for Adaptation

• The speaker highlights the importance of continuously checking lanes for potential adaptations in pathing.

• They provide an example where they spot a change in the mid lane state and adjust their path accordingly.

• By staying active with camera usage and adapting to changes, they increase their chances of success.

Adapting Path Based on Mid Lane State

This section focuses on how adapting the jungle path based on the mid lane state can lead to successful ganks.

Hovering Mid for Counter Gank

• The speaker explains how knowing that the enemy jungler could potentially gank their push-up mid allows for counter-ganking opportunities.

• They make a slight detour to hover around mid, ready to counter-gank if needed.

Assessing Mid Lane State

• The speaker mentions the importance of constantly assessing the state of the mid lane while clearing camps.

• They consider factors such as aggression levels and health status of both allied and enemy laners.

Making Pathing Decisions Based on Mid Lane State

• The speaker decides not to execute a transition gank on mid due to Silas playing safe and far back.

• However, they continue checking mid lane periodically for any changes that may warrant adaptation in their pathing.

Understanding Vertical Pathing

This section introduces vertical pathing as an option when starting on opposite sides of the map from the enemy jungler.

Vertical Pathing Concept

• Vertical pathing becomes an option when both junglers start on opposite sides of the map.

• It involves invading the enemy's jungle by moving vertically instead of horizontally.

Limitations of Vertical Pathing

• Vertical pathing is not possible when both junglers start on the same side.

• In such cases, it is not worth wasting time walking to the enemy's cleared camps for only one camp at best.

Examples of Vertical Pathing

This section provides examples of how vertical pathing can be used to gain an advantage in jungle gameplay.

Example with Graves

• The speaker explains how starting on red and observing the enemy bot lane showing first indicates that the enemy Fiddlesticks is also starting at red on the opposite side.

• This allows for a potential vertical pathing opportunity to invade the enemy jungle.

Importance of Checking Lanes

• The speaker emphasizes checking lanes to identify gankable opportunities and protect vulnerable lanes.

• They mention that by knowing Ekko could potentially gank their mid, they make a slight detour to hover mid for a counter-gank opportunity.

Adapting Based on Lane State

• The speaker mentions that based on Zed playing safe and Swain being healthy with a level advantage, they decide not to hover mid anymore.

• However, they continue checking lanes for any changes that may require adaptation in their pathing.

Understanding Lane Priority

This section explains how to determine lane priority based on champion matchups and the ability to push waves.

How to Determine Lane Priority

• Ranged champions have an advantage over melee champions in terms of wave control and pushing.

• They can zone melees off the wave with their auto attacks while damaging minions.

• In the example, Ahri is ranged against Kiana mid, giving Ahri lane priority.

• In bot lane, Thresh (ranged) against Poppy (melee) also gives Thresh lane priority.

Choosing a Strong Early Game Jungler

This section emphasizes the importance of playing a strong early game jungler for vertical pathing.

Importance of Strong Early Game Jungler

• Playing a strong early game jungler is crucial for vertical pathing.

• The enemy jungler often runs into you during their horizontal path, so being stronger early gives you an advantage.

• In the example, Graves is stronger than Fiddlesticks in the early game.

Mistakes in Invading Enemy Blue Buff

This section highlights common mistakes when invading the enemy blue buff immediately after killing your own red buff.

Mistakes in Invading Enemy Blue Buff

1. Timing: Invading immediately after killing your red buff doesn't give enough time for your teammates to establish lane priority.

2. Leveling Up: It takes longer to reach level 3 because you have to kill your own buff, then the enemy's buff, and finally their gromp.

3. Ward Timings: Delaying invade increases the chance of ward expiring and gives the enemy a false sense of security.

Example of Successful Vertical Pathing

This section provides an example of successful vertical pathing by Graves, resulting in a level advantage over Fiddlesticks.

Successful Vertical Pathing Example

• Graves starts with red buff and then takes raptors to reach level 3.

• By delaying the invade, he ensures that the ward on the enemy's second buff expires.

• Graves steals the enemy gromp, gaining a level advantage over Fiddlesticks.

Introduction to Vertical Jungling

This section introduces the concept of vertical jungling as an alternative strategy when unable to defend against invades.

What is Vertical Jungling?

• When unable to defend against an invade, split the map vertically and mirror the enemy's jungle path.

• In a replay example, Lilia invades Skillshot's blue buff, so Skillshot heads to the enemy's blue buff instead.

• Skillshot takes not only the blue buff but also gromp and wolves since the enemy jungler can't prevent it.

Dominating with Vertical Pathing

This section explains how vertical pathing can be used to dominate opponents and gain advantages in specific scenarios.

Dominating with Vertical Pathing

• In another replay example, Jarvan spots Nasus appearing first in top lane, indicating Nocturne started at red buff.

• Despite starting on the same side as Nocturne, Jarvan does blue into gromp into wolves and heads to his top side.

• Jarvan skips raptors and goes straight for his red buff to mess with Nocturne and protect his top laner.

• Nocturne makes a mistake by showing bot side instead of equalizing the position, allowing Jarvan to steal his top side camps.

Vertical Pathing with Diana

This section demonstrates how vertical pathing can be adapted based on early game matchups, using Diana as an example.

Adapting Vertical Pathing

• Japanese import plays Diana into Warwick and spots Warwick bot side early on.

• Starting blue and invading would be a bad idea since it takes time and Warwick is stronger in the early game.

• Instead, Japanese import adjusts by starting at his own blue and adapting his path accordingly.

Jungle Pathing Explained in Five Levels of Difficulty

In this section, the speaker discusses different variations of vertical pathing in the jungle and how it can put the opponent jungler in uncomfortable positions.

Level 5 Vertical Pathing

• Warwick crosses over and discovers his raptors and red buff are gone.

• It is now too late for Warwick to invade the blue side jungle as everything has already been killed.

• Difficult for Warwick to make a huge time investment crossing the entire map to invade our red side quadrant.

• We would have the red buff advantage and can play defensively while waiting for our laners to respond.

• Stealing both our raptors and red buff would be necessary for Warwick to just go even, which is unrealistic.

• Vertical pathing results in an experience lead, creating a level advantage that helps win skirmishes.

Another Strong Variation

• Japanese import starts at the enemy's raptors when Lee Sin starts at blue.

• Spots a gank topside and goes for a free kill instead of going back into his own jungle to farm.

• Revealing himself on the map means Lee Sin knows his top side is gone and should invade Japanese import's jungle.

• With the kill topside, we can recall and spend that gold for an item advantage.

• Show up at red with Lee Sin's abilities on cooldown from trying to take it, resulting in an easy 1v1 with our item lead.

Core Lesson from Level 5 Vertical Pathing

• By using vertical pathing, opponents are put in uncomfortable positions they aren't used to being in, leading them to make mistakes.

• Opponents may have inefficient pathing as they hesitate and don't know where to go exactly.

• As the one executing vertical pathing, you can plan out your actions in advance and make faster and correct decisions.

• More experience with vertical pathing makes it easier to make the right decisions and responses.

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Conclusion

The transcript provides insights into level 5 vertical pathing in the jungle, highlighting its advantages in creating an experience lead and putting opponents in uncomfortable positions. Additionally, Skillcap.com is introduced as a platform offering comprehensive guides and services for improving gameplay in League of Legends.